New Order's Hook Drafts Stars for New Project

New Order bassist Peter Hook is gathering some famous friends to collaborate on his new project, Freebase.

The group — which comprises Hook, former Smiths bassist
Andy Rourke and former Stone Roses/current Primal Scream bassist Mani — will turn the mic over to some of Manchester,
England’s best-known frontmen.

“We’ve been working with some great singers. (The
Charlatans’) Tim Burgess has done a vocal for us. (Oasis’) Liam Gallagher, I believe, is doing one (song), (Stone Roses’) Ian Brown and (Primal Scream’s) Bobby Gillespie,” Hook told
Billboard.com.

“We’re going to get them up on stage as well. It’s nice that Mani and I can call in a few favors. We were going to call it ‘Fourbase,’ but it didn’t have the same ring to it,” he said with a laugh.

Hook spoke to Billboard after the recent NME Awards in
London, where he presented the best British band trophy to
Muse. Although the Freebase project is not yet signed to a label, Hook said, “It’s great to write again. I’m really excited about it.”

Hook, however, remained coy on prospects of a follow-up to
New Order’s most recent album, “Waiting for the Siren’s Call.”

“Its possible,” he said, “But I’m not too sure the climate is great for (a New Order album) at the moment.”

“Waiting for the Siren’s Call,” the band’s follow-up to
2001’s “Get Ready,” debuted at No. 46 on the U.S. pop album charts in May 2005. It did better in Japan, opening at No. 3, and in Britain, at No. 5.